Russia gives rebels deadline to leave Aleppo

Syrian rebels have rejected the offer, suggesting that they are preparing for a final battle to begin at the weekendGetty Images

President Putin has given Syrian rebels in besieged eastern Aleppo until tomorrow to leave the city, warning of “a senseless loss of life” if they do not.

Syrian troops bolstered by thousands of Iranian-sponsored Shia militias from neighbouring countries have surrounded Aleppo, but Russian warplanes have held off from bombing civilian areas for two weeks.

Mr Putin was extending a “humanitarian pause” until 7pm tomorrow, local time, said the chief of general staff, General Valery Gerasimov.

New exit corridors, one to the Turkish border and one to the rebel-held province of Idlib, would be opened up, he said. “This decision has been coordinated with the Syrian leadership to avoid senseless loss of life,” he added.

The rebels immediately rejected the offer, suggesting that they are…

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